UAE to deport expats abusing religions

The UAE will deport expatriates involved in abusing Islam and other religions in line with a landmark anti-discrimination law issued this week, according to a well-known lawyer.

Issa bin Haidar, Dubai-based lawyer and legal adviser, also said offenders in such cases could be pardoned if they report the crime and help authorities arrest the remaining culprits even after the crime is committed.

Quoted by Dubai-based Arabic language daily ‘Emarat Al Youm’, he said the new law criminalises offences against all religions, including beliefs that had not been mentioned in the legal system before that law was enacted. As for deportation, it was up to the court to determine whether to deport foreigners involved in abusing religions or beliefs.

“The new law makes deportation of convicted expatriates a mandatory measure,” he said.